Coffee.

Gatina Washing Station, situated a short distance from Karatina in Nyeri County, was established in 1968, nestled between the western slopes of Mt. Kenya and the eastern slopes of the Aberdares mountains. Managed by Mugaga Farmers’ Cooperative Society, the station currently serves 790 members, with over 30% being women.

Cultivation-wise, the 790 members collectively cultivate 142 hectares, averaging about a tenth of a hectare per farmer, equating to a few hundred trees each. This small-scale approach allows for a focus on specialty processing, enhancing the value per kilogram of cherry harvested. Family members typically provide the labor for farm activities, facilitating the implementation of specialty cultivation and picking practices. Many farmers also cultivate tea, maize, and legumes for personal consumption or to sell in local markets, supplementing their income.

During harvest and post-harvest processes, farmers selectively handpick ripe cherries, delivering them directly to Gatina or one of the 4 collection points established for the convenience of more distant farms. The cherry undergoes hand sorting upon intake, with damaged, overripe, and underripe cherries removed before pulping. The role of the cherry clerk is crucial in ensuring that only the ripest cherries are processed. Farmers are not permitted to submit sub-par cherries and must take any rejected ones home to dry on beds or mats. These can be submitted at the end of the season as mbuni grade for a lower price, encouraging farmers to pick only the cherry at its peak.

The pulping process involves a three-disc pulper, followed by an overnight fermentation. Water for pulping and fermentation is sourced from fresh rivers originating from the numerous streams on Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares Mountains. After fermentation, the coffee is washed in clean water, soaked, and then spread out to dry on raised drying beds. Parchment typically takes 7 to 15 days to dry. Throughout this period, the parchment is regularly turned to ensure even drying and covered during the hottest part of the day to maintain consistent temperatures. Employees closely monitor the drying parchment, removing any damaged or discolored beans.

Once dry, the parchment is transported to Kahawa Bora Millers, a sister company in Kenya. The mill has the capacity to process smaller lots separately, preserving quality and traceability.

Expect notes of: Blackcurrant, Lime and Black Tea